“I hope not,” I said with a rueful smile.
“You must be having a horrible time with Marissa.”
“Yes, she’s driving me a little crazy,” I admitted.
“She’s just jealous,” said Beth, “she was hoping you’d be a hag and you’re not. Gretchen said you’d somehow hoodwinked the entire royal family, including Prince Maximilian. Marissa’s had her sights set on him since she was twelve.”
I felt a rush of anger, tinged with a little jealousy of my own, and quickly stamped it down.
“Hasn’t she heard?” I asked. “She has much worse competition than me – Princess Marie will be arriving in a few days.”
“Of course she has. The whole castle’s buzzing about it,” said Beth. “She’s been telling anyone who’ll listen that she thinks a foreign alliance is a foolish idea.” Beth laughed. “She doesn’t seem to realise everyone can see straight through her. If you keep ignoring her, she’ll lose interest in you soon enough. Especially once there’s royal competition for her to hate.”
“Does Max like her?” I asked, curious.
“Max, hey??” said Beth with raised eyebrows and a smile.
I couldn’t prevent a small blush. “It was all very informal at the Winter Castle,” I explained hurriedly.
“If you say so,” she said, still grinning. “And no, I never got the impression that the prince likes Marissa much. He usually treats all us girls the same – he’s always very careful not to raise any expectations – but I’ve sometimes noticed him going out of his way to avoid her. Not that she would ever believe that, of course.”
We shared a laugh (mine one of secret relief) and then she asked me if I’d heard anything about Princess Marie. I had heard almost nothing but we settled down for a very enjoyable session of wild speculation anyway. By the end of the evening I felt sure that I had at least two friends amongst the nobility – three if you counted Rivers, but I wasn’t sure I should really count Rivers.
Chapter 17
The next morning I woke up thinking about the various conversations from the night before. I wished I could discuss them with Max but he wasn’t due back for another two days. Instead, I rolled out of bed and hurried Lily and Sophie down to breakfast. I had decided that it was time I visited Aunt Corilyn again.
A short time later I was mounted on Starfire and riding into the city, a letter addressed to my parents tucked inside my cloak. I didn’t usually ride Starfire until the afternoon and she was excited and fidgety at the change in routine. It took all my concentration to direct her through the busy traffic but I relished her high energy. She was a beautiful horse and had the smoothest gait. I pressed an impulsive kiss on the top of her head before dismounting. Three friends after all – no one who saw Starfire could doubt her nobility.
When I entered the Blue Arrow I was spotted by the same serving maid who had greeted us last time. She recognised me instantly and waved me through the tap room. I found my aunt in a small office off the main hallway and apologised for interrupting her. She brushed my apologies aside and called for tea and toast.
We spent a comfortable hour exchanging family news and she extracted a promise that I would come for weekly visits.
“Your mother thought you’d be safe here under my eye or she never would have let you come to Arcadie,” she said. “Now, I figure you’ll be safe enough up there at the castle but your mother will still be expecting regular reports.”
I agreed with pleasure and promised to come next week to meet my cousin.
“He’s been out of town on business for the inn,” explained my aunt, “but he’ll be back any day now and he’s right curious to meet you.”
I was just as curious to meet him. I had never met my cousin, Harrison, but he had always been held up to my brothers as the ideal son. They had dreaded the arrival of one of Aunt Corilyn’s letters because it was sure to produce days of lamenting from my mother.
“Why can’t you be courteous, like your cousin Harrison?”
“Why can’t you help out your mother without being asked – my sister only has one son but she barely has to lift a finger.”
“Stop that roughhousing at once – Harrison never roughhouses!”
I had always found the whole thing rather amusing and was delighted to have the opportunity to meet this paragon of virtue.
I was still thinking of my aunt and cousin when I dropped Starfire back at the palace stables but a message from one of the grooms sent my thoughts in another direction.
“A message came down from the palace,” he said, “Korrine wants to see you as soon as you’re back.”
My wardrobe! I almost skipped with excitement and headed straight for the seamstress’ rooms. Korrine wasn’t there when I arrived but Annice appeared out of nowhere and deposited a large number of packages at my feet.
“Here’s your wardrobe,” she said. “If anything doesn’t fit right, send it back to us.” I could tell from her expression that she didn’t expect to receive anything back.
“Thank you,” I said enthusiastically and then, as she disappeared again, “but wait…”
I looked down at the large pile in dismay. The other seamstresses were all absorbed in their work and ignored me.
With a sigh, I crouched down and eased my hands beneath the bundle. Groaning, I stood up, my vision obscured by the huge pile of material in my arms. With some difficulty I managed to maneuver through the doorway and start down the hallway.
I was amazed at how heavy a pile of material could be and several times considered abandoning it. I kept dropping parcels off the top and having to stop to retrieve them and rebalance my load. Because my vision was obscured I also kept running into things. My thighs seemed to be at the perfect height to catch table corners and I could already feel a couple of bruises developing. Several people passed by and looked at me curiously but they all hurried on, busy with their own tasks.
Grumbling under my breath I took a shortcut through one of the many sitting rooms. I had only made it a few steps into the room before a familiar voice said, “Alyssa?”
I felt a rush of joy, quickly followed by relief. “You’re back early,” I said and waited to be relieved of my load.
Nothing happened.
“Max?” I said with confusion and attempted to peer around all the parcels in my arms. “You can see I’m struggling here, right?”
“Oh, sorry,” he said and this time the parcels were lifted away. I gave a massive sigh of relief and swung my throbbing arms.
“Thanks, they were killing me! What are you doing back already…” my voice trailed away as I realised we weren’t alone in the room.
Lady Marissa and Clarisse were staring at me with a look of horrified shock. Beth, standing beside two unfamiliar young men, showed a milder expression of surprise. The young men, who I recognised from Max’s descriptions, looked amused and appreciative.
I followed all their eyes and regarded the heir to the throne, laden down with my parcels.
“What is wrong with you?” hissed Lady Marissa. “He’s the prince, not a footman.”
I grimaced at my mistake and stepped forward to take back the parcels.
“Sorry, Max,” I said, “I wasn’t thinking.”
There was another hiss from Lady Marissa at my use of Max’s name.
Max just laughed. “Don’t be silly, Alyssa. I have arms that work as well as the next person’s. And rather better than yours.”
He grinned at me affectionately to show he meant no offense.
“I’ll just put them here for now.” He dumped the parcels onto a chair.
“They were heavy, though,” he said. “What were you doing carting them around on your own. You’re lucky you didn’t run into anything.”
“Oh, I did,” I said with a wry smile, “several things in fact.”
“Ridiculous!” he exclaimed, turning towards his two friends with a grin.
Before he could introduce either of them, the one on the right spoke.
>
“I’m Nate,” he said. “And you are obviously the Alyssa about whom we’ve heard so much.” He gave me an extravagant bow.
“But Max,” said the other, reprovingly, “you never told us she was so lovely. I can see you were trying to keep her all to yourself!”
He elbowed Nate out of the way and held out his hand. When I put mine into it, he bowed and kissed it.
I quickly snatched my hand back, but smiled at them both. There was admiration in their eyes, certainly, but also a mischievous glint that told me they were taking delight in roasting Max. I was happy to take their words in the light-hearted way they were obviously meant.
“You must be Felix,” I said. “I’ve also heard a lot about you. And I must say, the word ‘lovely’ was never mentioned in connection with you, either.”
Both boys grinned at this sally.
They looked much as I had imagined them. Tall and straight with athletic figures and open, friendly faces. Their colouring was so similar they could easily be mistaken for brothers. Both had brown hair and brown eyes and lightly tanned skin. They were more charming than handsome but there was no denying that they were attractive young men. I suspected Lily and Sophie weren’t the only girls at court with crushes on them.
I looked at the wary glance that Beth was throwing between Nate and me and my assumption hardened to certainty. I threw her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
A glance in Lady Marissa’s direction told me that her anger was starting to overpower her shock. I couldn’t help a small feeling of triumph but decided that retreat was the wisest course.
“I really do need to get these parcels up to the princesses’ tower,” I said and took a step towards the chair where the parcels had been dumped.
“I’ll help you, of course,” said Max quickly and put a hand on my arm to hold me back.
I felt a rush of butterflies at his touch and looked down at the ground, scared of what the others might see in my face.
But Felix and Nate seemed oblivious to any underlying currents. They both rushed forward, protesting that they would carry my parcels.
Max stepped back with a smile and let them fight it out. I felt a momentary pang at his swift surrender but it melted away when he sent me a conspiratorial smile.
“Lead the way, Fair Alyssa,” said Nate.
Both boys looked at me expectantly, their arms full of parcels. I gestured for them to precede me from the room. Max followed us, offering a polite bow in farewell to the girls left standing in the sitting room.
I stepped around Felix and Nate so I could lead them in the right direction.
Max joined me.
“See, boys,” he said. “This is why I’m the one who’s going to be ruling the kingdom someday. I’ve got the brains. If you hadn’t been in such a rush to claim the parcels, either of you could have been the one with an arm free. Then you would be escorting the ‘Fair Alyssa’ instead of me.”
He offered me his arm with an exaggerated bow and I took it, laughing.
“You never answered my question,” I said as we walked towards the tower. “Why are you back so early?”
“Well, he claimed it was so we could all have a few days to settle in before Princess Marie arrives,” cut in Nate.
“But he seemed unsettled while we were away and eager to be back. We can see now he had a very compelling reason to hurry home,” said Felix mischievously.
When I glanced back at him he winked.
I felt flattered by their teasing but also sad. They had no idea how much I wished their words were true.
“Ignore them,” said Max loftily. And then, in a quiet voice, “How have you settled in? Has everything been going well with the court?”
“I think we’ve settled in pretty well,” I said. “You were completely right about your sisters’ ponies, by the way. They love them.”
“Ah,” chimed in Felix, “old Comet and Charger. Many is the slow, placid trot we’ve taken beside those little firebrands.”
I laughed. “They are getting a bit old,” I said. “But the twins still love them, so don’t you dare say a word against them in the girls’ hearing.”
“I assure you, my lady,” said Felix solemnly. “I am not so foolhardy with my life.”
I smiled over my shoulder. “I’m not a ‘my lady’, you know. Please call me Alyssa. Both of you.”
They assented with enthusiasm and I was surprised when I turned back to see a rather grim expression on Max’s face.
He didn’t say much more for the rest of the walk and only stayed to give his sisters a quick greeting before rushing his friends away.
I watched them go with some confusion and was only called back to attention by the twins. They were eager to know what I thought of Felix and Nate and asked me lots of questions, punctuated by giggles.
In the end I was forced to distract them with all the parcels the boys had delivered.
My new wardrobe consisted of an astonishing number of dresses – from walking gowns and riding habits to court dresses and even ball gowns.
My astonishment faded over the next few days, though, as the castle busied itself for the arrival of Princess Marie. It seemed that the foreign delegations would receive an official greeting in the throne room and then be entertained with a dizzying succession of parties, concerts, routs and excursions culminating in a grand ball on their last night. I liked parties but I had a feeling it was going to be a long summer.
As glad as I was that Max had returned early, I didn’t have any opportunity to talk to him about the conversations at Helena’s party. He was kept busy preparing for the delegation’s arrival, and Lady Marissa’s new life goal seemed to be making sure we never had a moment alone. We couldn’t so much as run into each other in the corridor without her appearing from nowhere.
I wouldn’t have seen Max at all if it wasn’t for breakfasts and dinners and the new Northhelm etiquette classes the king was putting us all through. Lily and Sophie’s regular morning lessons had been put on hold and the four of us spent those hours with the royal Master of Protocol, learning about Northhelm customs. Apparently Princess Marie would be joining us for family meals and, if the Master of Protocol was to be believed, the honour of Arcadia rested on our shoulders.
On the day the princess was due to arrive, the king gave us a lecture over breakfast.
“You all know the purpose of these visits,” he said. “Princess Marie may be part of our family one day. I want you all to make her feel at home here. And even if we don’t end up making an alliance with Northhelm, this is an opportunity to strengthen our ties with them.” He looked at us all sternly and we nodded our understanding.
“All right then,” said the king briskly, “Lily and Sophie, you’re back to your normal lessons this morning. You won’t be coming down to the docks to greet the royal ship. You can meet Princess Marie at the reception tonight.”
Both girls groaned and opened their mouths to argue but he silenced them with a stern look.
“Max, you need to go get dressed for the official welcome. Alyssa, I’d like to see you in my office for a minute.”
Max looked between his father and me in surprise. “What do you want to see Alyssa for?” he asked.
“That’s between me and Alyssa,” replied his father. Max looked like he wanted to argue but he received the same stern look the king had given the twins.
We all stood up to go our various ways and the queen went over to Max who was still looking rebellious. She put her hand on his shoulder and led him out of the room, speaking quietly into his ear.
King Henry hadn’t mentioned his request for me to act as spy since that last night in the Winter Castle. I had begun to wonder if he had changed his mind and had felt relieved. Now all my dread came rushing back. I wished I were braver – less afraid of pain and trouble and more worthy of the task he had assigned me.
I had never seen the king’s office before and I was impressed by its size and magnificence. Like his study at the
castle, the furniture was made from dark oak. But this room boasted gold decorations and dwarfed the other in size. Even his desk was at least twice as large. In fact, it seemed much larger than was practically useful and I suspected its purpose was to intimidate guests. I wished it didn’t work so well on me.
To my relief the king didn’t sit down behind the desk. Instead he used a key from his pocket to open one of the drawers. From the drawer he drew a second, larger key.
“What I am about to show you is a state secret,” he said seriously. “I am trusting you never to reveal it to anyone.”
“Yes, your majesty,” I said, nodding my head nervously.
The king crossed over to one of the bookshelves and showed me a small lever hidden behind some of the books. He pulled it and the bookshelf swung away from the wall, revealing a small door with a large keyhole. Fitting his key into the keyhole, the king opened the door.
“This palace is very old,” he said, “and this room is one of its oldest secrets. It has been here since before the time of my grandfather’s grandfather’s grandfather. It can only be opened with this key.”
I nodded again and wondered fearfully what would be revealed behind the door. But when the king bowed his head to fit through the doorway and gestured for me to follow him, I found myself in a small empty room. I looked around with surprise.
The king laughed at my expression. “It’s not what is in the room that matters,” he said, “but who.”
My confused expression didn’t change so the king gestured me over to the wall next to the doorway. He pointed out a series of small holes at various heights. The holes were grouped in pairs and the king demonstrated their purpose by peering through a pair of holes at his eyelevel.
In wonder, I put my own eyes up to a pair of holes lower down on the wall. I could now see clearly through into the king’s office although my view was mostly taken up with the back of the bookshelf.
“When the door is shut and the bookshelf returned to its normal position,” explained the king,” you will be able to see into the room clearly.”
“But what is the purpose of this room?” I asked in confusion. “It seems like it’s made to spy on you.”
The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea (The Four Kingdoms Book 1) Page 16